IRCTC Website and App Down Before Dhanteras Rush
Just a day before Dhanteras — one of India’s most significant festive days — thousands of passengers were left anxious and frustrated as the IRCTC website and mobile app suddenly went down on October 17, 2025. The disruption began around 9 a.m., making it impossible for users to book tickets online.
The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) platform, which manages millions of bookings daily, became inaccessible right before the crucial Tatkal booking window, leaving passengers in limbo.
6,000+ Users Reported the Outage
According to outage tracking platform DownDetector, complaints started pouring in from 9:00 a.m. onwards. By 11:00 a.m., more than 6,000 users had reported being unable to access the IRCTC website or app.
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49% of users reported issues with the IRCTC website.
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37% faced problems through the mobile app.
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14% experienced disruptions while booking tickets at railway stations.
Social media platforms soon flooded with posts expressing frustration, especially from travelers trying to secure last-minute Tatkal tickets for the festive rush.
IRCTC Down During Peak Tatkal Booking Hours
For many, the outage couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Tatkal booking for AC classes opens at 10 a.m., while for sleeper class it begins at 11 a.m. However, IRCTC services went down just before these time slots, leaving passengers helpless.
Every day, IRCTC sells around 12.5 lakh train tickets, and on festive occasions like Dhanteras and Diwali, the numbers are even higher. The platform’s downtime caused major inconvenience for travelers heading home for celebrations.
Officials from IRCTC cited “technical reasons” for the outage and assured that teams were working to restore the services as quickly as possible.
What Passengers Can Do If IRCTC Is Down
In situations like this, IRCTC has shared several ways for passengers to seek help or alternative options for booking tickets:
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Call Customer Care:
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14646
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080-44647999
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080-35734999
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Email Support:
Users can write to etickets@irctc.co.in to report issues. -
Offline Booking:
For urgent travel, passengers can visit the nearest railway reservation counter to book tickets manually.
How to Book Railway Tickets Online (Once the Site Is Restored)
To help passengers prepare for when services resume, here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to book tickets online using IRCTC:
Step 1: Create an IRCTC Account
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Visit www.irctc.co.in or open the IRCTC app.
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Click “Register” and fill in your details (name, mobile number, email, password, and security question).
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Verify your mobile number and email via OTP.
Step 2: Log In
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Click “Login” and enter your username and password.
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Complete the captcha and log in successfully.
Step 3: Search for Trains
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Go to “Plan My Travel” or “Book Ticket.”
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Enter departure and destination stations, journey date, and class (AC/Sleeper).
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Click “Submit” to see available trains.
Step 4: Select Train and Class
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Choose your preferred train and timing.
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Click “Book Now.”
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Confirm train details, class, and quota (General/Tatkal).
Step 5: Fill Passenger Details
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Add new passenger information or select from saved passengers.
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Proceed to payment using UPI, card, or net banking.
Step 6: Get Your e-Ticket
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Once payment succeeds, a PNR number will be generated.
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Download or print the e-ticket in PDF format.
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You’ll also receive confirmation via email and SMS.
Passenger Frustration Highlights Need for Better Digital Infrastructure
The IRCTC outage before Dhanteras underscores the need for stronger digital infrastructure to handle massive festive traffic. With millions depending on online ticketing, even a few hours of downtime can disrupt travel plans for thousands.
As India continues its digital journey, ensuring reliable, fast, and resilient platforms for essential services like railway booking becomes more important than ever.
